Transmission engages with remote start

[Fla Eagle]

I just joined the site today and sure enough after i make a few post, i now have a problem with my truck. Truck has been great withno issues until i notied this problem recently. I have a 07 crew cab with the 5.3 4l60e transmission 4x4 with about 145k miles with factory remote start. I noticed recently when leaving work and I use remote start, many times the truck starts and runs for couple of seconds makes a clunking noise in the drive train and shuts off. It won't remote start again until I put the key in and take it out. Today it did it again so I thought to investigate why and i remote started when I was next to it. To my surprise it did it again, it made the noise but noticed the truck rocks back a bit. The clunking noise I think is the transmission engaging as it sounds the same as when I put it in reverse but quite a bit louder. Now the truck was parked on a slight incline so it was enough to roll the truck a bit uphill. When I started it with the key there was no noise and the truck didn't move. I tested it a few times and with remote start it always replicated the problem. The only time I notice it is at work and I park in the same place every time. I remote start every morning and it has never failed to start. I don't know if it makes the noise or if the truck rocks back any, but I am parked slightly up hill. I did it at the gas station on flat ground and it was fine. Anyone know what this might be? I am going to do some more investigating to see what variables causes it to replicate the problem.

[Doug_Scott]

Try getting in the truck first, do not put key in ignition, use the remote to lock the doors, then try the remote start. If it feels like it is going to do it, use the gas pedal to keep truck running. If the transmission is in reverse, you will be able to tell by how the engine feels as you try to keep it running.

There are not many reasons for this to happen. If the transmission is has issues with clutch packs or bands, they may stay applied, and that will allow the engine to drive through transmission, with only the park pawl stopping it from driving off. If the shifter is far enough out of adjustment to allow reverse to be applied with lever in Park, I would expect the neutral safety switch to prevent engine starting.

Your trans is also electrically controlled. I have little knowledge of how they work, but, may in some conditions you have a solenoid/switch/or ? sticking or leaking allowing trans to be in gear. Someone else can comment on that part.